Discussion

Favorite spots off the 405? (West LA --> Long Beach)

I commute from West LA to Long Beach a few times a week and often times, I try to time it around lunch so I can stop somewhere along the way. The problem is that I'm starting to exhaust my "usual suspects" list of places to eat and would gladly welcome other suggestions.

Right now, I tend to hit up either:

Jasmine Market (Culver City, Washington/Culver exit)(Tito's is right there too)

Santouka (Mar Vista, Venice exit)

In the past, I've also done:

Al Watan (Hawthorne, Rosecrans exit)

Gardena Ramen + Shinsengumi Hakata Ramen (Western exit)

The main criteria is that the food be 1) relatively fast, 2) moderately priced (or cheap!) and 3) within 5 minutes of a 405 exit. A superior taqueria is most welcome, as is any Asian ethnic places.

Just east of the 405 on El Segundo Blvd. is a pupuseria (can't remember the name, but it's within two blocks of the 405) on the north side of the street. It's not incredible food, but it is pretty good, fast and cheap.

If you pass Tito's going east bound and then cross Sepulveda and immediately park you can have lunch at Metro Cafe (the Serbian/Continental place). Speed of dining would be the question but they have always brought my food pretty quickly. Check them out sometime.

I haven't timed the drive from I 405 but El Taco Loco #3 is just west of Long Beach Bl at Anaheim. It has a great selection of tacos at $1.50 I believe, maybe less (the usual suspects plus things like tongue, brain). Tortillas are hand made. Tortas are great. Combo plates run from simple to fairly elaborate. The salsa varies from visit to visit but is always great. The best hole-in-the-wall Mexican food in Long Beach

Expertly fried, southern style (cornmeal dredged) seafood. Basic but brilliant. Food is slow because of the care they put into the frying. Expect 15 minutes from the time you order under ideal conditions. More if you hit them while they're busy. Call in your order ahead of time, you'll thank me later.